Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local
Do you see children 0-11 years old regarding developmental, behavioural or mental health concerns? Do you wish more support was available for managing complex cases? Grow your knowledge, expand your network, connect with professionals in your area and access free expert advice through two new initiatives launching as part of the new Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local in Cranbourne.
Secondary Consults
Secondary Consults enable community clinicians (e.g. GPs, nurses, psychologists) working in the Cardina, Casey or Greater Dandenong local government areas to connect with a Monash Health psychiatrist or paediatrician to discuss concerns regarding development, behaviour or mental health for patients aged 0-11 years.
During the 10- 30 minute consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss the patient’s case history regarding diagnosis and treatment;
Consultations are provided by the Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local located at the Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre.
Consults are offered by email, or scheduled telephone or video call and two options are available for consultations:
- De-identified consultation: keeps the name and identity of the client private.
- Identified consultation: allows our team to identify the client, view their health record history and their placement on waiting lists. GP’s may be able to access reimbursement for their time. Parent/ caregiver consent is required.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a consult:
- children must be aged 0 to 11 years old
- the clinician or patient must be located in the Casey, Greater Dandenong or Cardinia local government area.
Cost
There is no cost or ongoing commitment required to use this service.
Billing information
The below MBS item guide provides a reference to support paediatric care for GPs and general practices participating in the Secondary Consult Program with the Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local, Monash Health. Before making any billing claims, please read the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) requirements in full.
For information on a patient’s prior claims check HPOS (per PRODA). If you are seeking advice in relation to Medicare billing, claiming or payments contact the Provider Enquiry Line – 13 21 50. If you have a query relating exclusively to interpretation to the Schedule, email – askmbs@health.gov.au
Multidisciplinary case conference billing guide:
| GP organising and coordinating session | |||
| Item | Rebate | Service | Description |
| 735 | $80.55 | 15-20 min |
|
| 739 | $137.75 | 20-40 min | |
| 743 | $229.65 | >40 min | |
| GP participating in session | |||
| 747 | $59.20 | 15-20 min |
|
| 750 | $101.45 | 20-40 min | |
| 758 | $168.80 | >40 min | |
Make an appointment
Feedback from past participants
“I had the opportunity to attend Compass Stream 2 and found it very useful and helpful. I really appreciate Secondary Consults’ openness to reciprocal conversations and the team’s generosity in sharing their knowledge.”
COMPASS Child Mental Health Community of Practice
COMPASS is a Child Mental Health Community of Practice developed to support GPs, practice nurses, maternal child health nurses, school nurses, psychologists, paediatricians, and other mental health clinicians working with children who are experiencing mental health, developmental or behavioural issues.
Through a series of collaborative online sessions, we host case discussions led by child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr Benjamin Hoadley, and paediatrician, Dr Victoria McKay from Monash Health’s new Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local. Each session focuses on a topic of interest.
Monthly sessions run across two streams to ensure you can participate at a time that works for you.
About
COMPASS, the ‘Connecting Mental Health Paediatric Specialists and Community Services’ program, was developed by the Royal Children’s Hospital and the North West Melbourne Primary Healthcare Network in 2021 to support and improve the capacity of clinicians assessing and managing mental health problems in children and adolescents. COMPASS is proudly delivered in collaboration with Monash University.
2025 sessions
All sessions are held online on a Tuesday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and topics are as follows:
1 April: Developmental concerns (e.g. Autism)
6 May: School and learning concerns in primary school
3 June: Emotional regulation and challenging behaviours
1 July: Anxiety and mood
Cost and format
There is no cost to use this service and all sessions are delivered online.
How to join
Session dates and times will be shared in 2025. Once sessions are confirmed you can join COMPASS by emailing us at childrenslocal.consults@monashhealth.org.
- Include the name of your clinic and your contact number.
- You will receive a confirmation email with a link to a baseline survey, complete the survey and this will also confirm your registration.
- You will then receive an email with a Microsoft Teams link to attend the sessions.
Limited places are available.
Meet the team
Dr Victoria McKay
Dr Victoria McKay is an experienced paediatrician. She has a special interest in developmental behavioural paediatrics and has worked extensively in GP-paediatrician co-consult models.
Dr Ben Hoadley
Dr Ben Hoadley is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, working across metropolitan and regional settings with community-based children’s mental health and wellbeing services. He also has a workforce development role with the University of Sydney.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email ChildrensLocal.Consults@monashhealth.org or call us on 03 5990 6789.
Help contacting us
For people who need help with English or an interpreter: : TIS: 131 450
For people with hearing or speech loss: TTY: 1800 555 677
Speak and Listen: 1800 555 727
Internet relay: National Relay Service: www.relayservice.gov.au